West Seattle, Washington
14 Saturday
Along Dumar Way, a busy connector between two major eastern West Seattle arterials (Delridge Way and 16th SW), crews from Seattle City Light contractor Kemp West have been out trimming tall, fast-growing cottonwood, alder, and maple trees to get their branches away from power lines – in hopes of reducing the chances that even a minor storm will push branches into the nearby power lines and cause outages. We met with City Light’s Scott Thomsen at the site this afternoon to talk about storm readiness – not just for utilities, but for all of us. As we talked, the trimming crew continued its work:
The ongoing tree-trimming program, Thomsen says, has had a noticeable reduction on the number of outages happening when those smaller storms hit. But in an area with so many trees, there’s really no way to eliminate the possibility of outages in case of a big storm – so you need to be ready. And this year, weather analysts including Cliff Mass say, we may have a “neutral” year instead of El Niño or La Niña, and those years have a higher likelihood of BIG storms. So don’t wait till there’s a forecast of imminent storminess. Be ready with batteries, backup food/water supplies, etc. Check out this checklist from the regional Take Winter By Storm campaign – you’ll hear even more from them on Monday, when they’re briefing the regional media for an official launch.
P.S. A frequent question about the tree-trimming is why the trees tend to look rather, well, stark when the crews are done. Thomsen reminds us that the cutting is done in a manner that not only achieves the goal – get out of the power lines – but also keeps the tree healthy, and the “rectangular” cuts you often see meet that goal. It’s all done by tree crews licensed to work near power lines, and under the supervision of a certified arborist. This year alone, they’ve trimmed along 625 miles in the city.
5:46 PM: According to the Construction Look Ahead that SDOT updates every Thursday – see it here – westbound lower Spokane Street will be open all the way from 6th Avenue S. to East Marginal Way by 6 am tomorrow. That’s the last major piece of the four-year project to widen the elevated roadway, add an eastbound offramp at 4th Avenue South, and consolidated westbound on/offramps at 1st Avenue, among other components.
9:50 PM UPDATE: Just checked while coming home from an errand downtown – and the entirety of lower westbound Spokane Street is now OPEN. Photo to come. (For a trip down Memory Lane, here’s our first in-depth story before the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project started construction 4+ years ago. There’s also a project timeline at the bottom of the SSVWP city home page.)
10:50 PM NOTE: If you’re wondering about the designs on the columns – it’s art commissioned for the project.
Orcas have been spotted north of Elliott Bay, according to Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales, and if they keep heading south, they might be in the West Seattle vicinity by sunset. Not a sure thing – but we’re letting you know so any sightings don’t come as a surprise! Let us know if you get a glimpse. It’s been six days since the last spate of West Seattle sightings.
(Photo from SW Design Review Board’s 9/27/2012 meeting)
Tonight (6:30 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle), the Southwest Design Review Board convenes again, this time to review 9051 20th SW for what might be the final time. Ever wonder, who’s on the board and how they got there? The city is recruiting right now – for openings citywide including two on the Southwest DRB. See the official announcement to find out how to apply –
Six notes in today’s West Seattle Crime Watch roundup …
BILLBOARD CAMPAIGN: Last month, a new campaign to use billboards to spotlight unsolved murder cases was announced. We covered the event, and spoke there with Dwight K. Guy, widower of Greggette Guy, whose March murder along Beach Drive has gone unsolved for seven months. Organizers told us one of the billboards would highlight two West Seattle unsolved murders; we hadn’t photographed it yet but took that picture today along Harbor Avenue, across from ActivSpace, where it’s up with photos of Mrs. Guy and of Kaari Higgins, whose January 2011 death in Fauntlee Hills was classified as a homicide months later. No breaks reported yet in either case – call 911 if you know anything, or send an anonymous online tip.
STOLEN CAR: From Angela:
My 2004 Cadillac Escalade was stolen sometime between midnight and 7am this morning. I live at 47th Ave SW and Alaska street. Plate number AHR8062.
POSSIBLY STOLEN BICYCLE, FOUND: From Chris:
Early (Wednesday) morning I found a mountain bike in the alley at California and Graham. It was partially disassembled and its location seemed pretty suspicious. In the event that it was stolen, it is going to be turned over to the Seattle Police. It is a 14″ blue Jamis Ranger SX. If you happen to hear of a stolen bicycle with this description from other readers, please refer them to SPD.
HIT-AND-RUN – SEE ANYTHING? From Julie:
My car was sideswiped (Tuesday October 23, 2012) while parked in front of the West Seattle Christian Church on 42nd Ave SW between SW Oregon and SW Genesee. If you have any information on who could have hit it, please contact me at jconyne@hotmail.com. My car is a 2008 Charcoal Grey 4 door Jetta.
CAR BREAK-INS: From Steven:
This morning, around 3:15 am, my neighbors truck was broken into. The driver-side window was broken, but the alarm scared the bad people away. We live in the 6700 block of 39th Ave. SW.
Also, from Hilari:
Someone rifled through our car on 14th and Kenyon Monday night. Nothing was in there but some change in the ash tray, which was taken. They just left a mess of papers from our glove compartment.
Be sure to report such crimes even if nothing major was taken – you can even do it online.
ORIGINAL REPORT, 2:10 PM: Two outages of note – Right now, water is out along a stretch of 35th SW, says Dawnee, who lives near 35th/Findlay; she says crews told her it was “emergency repairs.” We’ll check with Seattle Public Utilities. Earlier, 69 “customers” (homes/businesses) were out for a few hours in part of Highland Park. After someone asked us about it we checked and noted that it was labeled a “planned outage.” Seattle City Light told us it was to enable tree-trimming near power lines; we asked how notice is given, since the person who contacted us said it caught him by surprise – spokesperson Scott Thomsen says usually notice comes in postal mail a couple weeks ahead of time.
4 PM UPDATE: SPU’s Ingrid Goodwin explains the water outage:
SPU water crews were performing routine maintenance when they encountered a problem that required an emergency shut-down of the watermain. About 80 homes and 6 hydrants were without water for about 15 minutes while crews corrected the problem. Water was restored to all customers about shortly after 2 pm.
A memorial is planned tomorrow in Newcastle for former West Seattleite Jim Baugher, who died last weekend. Here’s a remembrance shared by those who knew him well.
Jim L. Baugher, former West Seattle resident, passed away suddenly from a pulmonary embolism at the age of 47 on October 21, 2012.
Jim lived life to the fullest and was an inspiration to many. He was vibrant, smart, and loved to laugh. While he never claimed to be perfect, he continually strived to learn, to grow, and to inspire others. We are so grateful for the short time we had with Jim, and his accomplishments and approach to life are worth sharing so you can get to know the Jim we knew.
As a father of four, he cherished each child for who they were as an individual. Through his oldest son Tim, he was given the gift of two beautiful twin granddaughters, Madeline and Ava, and witnessing Tim (27) blossom from a son into an invaluable friend. He was so proud of Zach (25), who recently graduated from Evergreen College, and who shared his love of skiing and adventure. His son Skyler (13) wowed him with his artistic talents, kind nature, and exceptional smarts. His only daughter, Analise (5, with him in photo above), had daddy wrapped around her finger from the day he laid eyes on her in China, where he served as her anchor as she transitioned from orphan to daughter. Analise is a kindergartener at Lafayette Elementary.
Bill, Kathy, and Don were still on duty at the West Seattle Bike Connections outreach station under the bridge when we caught up with them just before they wrapped up for the morning. In addition to offering treats and information about the new bicycling-advocacy group (here’s the original announcement in the WSB Forums), they also counted bicyclists till about 9 am, and report 254 came by that spot where three trails meet, under the high bridge and at the west end of the low bridge. Also there throughout the morning – till just before we showed up – the trio told us, was Stu Hennessey of Spokespeople West Seattle and Sustainable West Seattle, with which WSBC is joining forces. A major goal right now is to give West Seattle a strong voice as the city’s Bicycle Master Plan is updated; keep up with future meetings (next one – 8:30 am Saturday at C & P Coffee [WSB sponsor]) and comment opportunities via their Facebook page, where you also can post your “top ten list” for bicycling-improvement priorities in the area.
(Finally rainy enough for mushrooms! Lincoln Park photo by Machel Spence)
Before the day gets too much further along – a few calendar notes for this afternoon/evening:
NURSING/REHAB OPEN HOUSE: The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor) invites you to an open house at its newly updated Nursing/Rehab Unit – details here.
‘LITTLE ITALY’ DINNER: Enjoy Italian food, wine, and music at Merrill Gardens-West Seattle (WSB sponsor), 5-7 pm. Bring a non-perishable-food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank. RSVP by calling 206-932-5480.
SOUND TRANSIT ROUTE 560 CHANGES: The “open house on a bus” is tonight, 5-7 pm – find out about the changes proposed for Route 560, the Sound Transit Express bus route that serves West Seattle. Look for the ST bus at 29th and Barton.
TASTE GERMAN WINES: West Seattle Cellars (WSB sponsor) will feature German wines during their regular free Thursday night wine tasting, 5:30-8 pm.
DESIGN REVIEW: The apartment/retail building planned for 9051 20th SW goes before the Southwest Design Review Board tonight for the third and possibly final time. See the “packet” here with what they’ll present. 6:30 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle.
VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS: Chief Sealth International High School plays at 7:30 tonight in their gym (they’re hosting the tournament) – vs. either Eastside Catholic or Holy Names, depending on what happens earlier in the day.
SOUTH PARK HAUNTED HOUSE: The South Park Haunted House opens tonight from 7-8:30 pm, and is also open the next two nights from 7:30-9:30 pm at the South Park Community Center. Teens are free; all other ages, $2. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
WESTSIDE BURLESQUE REVUE: 9 pm at Skylark Café and Club, the monthly burlesque show.
More nightlife – among other things – on the calendar!
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
With Halloween on Wednesday this year, the next three days feature many more local events/activities than you’ll find on October 31st – so we wanted to direct your attention one more time to the WSB Halloween page, where we’ve listed everything we have heard about and have found (still time to add more if we’re missing something – editor@westseattleblog.com). That includes the business-district trick-or-treat events: Admiral Treats and Treasures 3-6 pm tomorrow, Junction Harvest Festival Sunday (10 am-2 pm with trick-or-treating noon-2), Westwood Village 5-7 pm on Halloween. Check out our list of West Seattle (and a bit beyond) activities for ALL ages – here.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:06 AM: Happy Thursday! No trouble reports in the immediate vicinity right now.
If you bicycle to work – the new West Seattle Bike Connections group is out by the low bridge, meeting and greeting riders, till about 9:45 am, as previewed here.
For bus riders: If you didn’t catch it in the Wednesday comment thread, Metro has announced more details about the buses to be added to Routes 120 and 55 next Monday:
The two new morning trips on Route 55 are scheduled to leave from the Admiral District at 6:37 and 8:20 AM, and arrive on Seneca Street at Second Avenue at 7:08 and 8:51 respectively. The added Route 55 afternoon trips are scheduled to leave from Blanchard St in Belltown at 4:54 and 5:17 PM.
The two new morning trips on Route 120 are scheduled to leave from the Burien Transit Center at 6:26 and 7:14 AM, from Westwood Village at 6:50 and 7:39, and arrive on Third Avenue in downtown Seattle at about 7:25 and 8:15 respectively. The added Route 120 afternoon trips are scheduled to leave from southbound on Third Avenue at Pike Street at 4:45 and 5:11 PM.
8:10 AM UPDATE: Bridge and buses both reported to be lighter than usual today – including two tweets (here and here) re: RapidRide. Which reminds us – the Sound Transit “open house on a bus” meeting is tonight, too.
10:11 PM NOTE: Buried in the weekly Construction Lookahead, we found a city note that the rest of surface westbound Spokane Street would open by tomorrow morning. Checked it out about an hour ago, and discovered it’s already open. Separate story (with photo) here.
And the post-season is on! Tuesday morning, we featured this week’s post-season schedule for West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School. Now the first big game is history: Sealth scored a soccer shutout at home against Blanchet on Wednesday afternoon, 1-0, with Darienne Gibson scoring the goal and Blanchet being kept away from the goal by goalkeeper Nicole Roed, according to the Sealth Athletics Facebook page. Cross-country and volleyball are scheduled today.
Though we haven’t had enough rain yet to run the risk of landslides, the city wants to get the word out about the risks, and how to reduce them. October through April is landslide season, and 20,000 properties are in landslide-prone areas – if your property is among them, you’ll want to be at South Seattle Community College this Saturday morning for the first of two free landslide-awareness meetings presented by the city:
The landslide-awareness meetings will include a presentation that discusses the causes of landslides, proper drainage for sloping sites, and vegetation maintenance on slopes. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session and time for one-on-one discussions with professionals in the field, including the City of Seattle, and volunteers from The American Society for Civil Engineers, The Association of Engineering Geologists, The International Society of Arboriculture, and Associated Building Contractors.
Join them 10 am-noon Saturday (October 27) at the Judge Warren and Nobie Chan Education Center on the north side of the SSCC campus on Puget Ridge (6000 16th SW).
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
That’s 4515 41st SW, which has gone through several development proposals in recent years, and is now the subject of a new one, according to city online records. The Department of Planning and Development page for the site now has an early-stage filing described as follows:
Proposing construction of a new 50-60 unit Alzheimer’s care community in West Seattle. Questions relative to use in the L3 zone, setbacks, parking requirements, permit timeline, and where any other Alzheimer’s communities have been proposed and or are under development in West Seattle.
The second line appears to be a note about issues brought to the DPD in early discussions; the only date on the DPD page involves a fee payment on September 18th. One contact is listed for the potential project; we tracked down a phone number and have left multiple messages seeking further comment on the proposal and what stage it’s in, and will update whenever we hear back from them. The site is in the process of being sold, according to pages like this; we had reported back in June that it was on the market. Two years ago, it was the subject of a short-lived proposal for a 7-story apartment building; in 2006, it was envisioned as 70 apartments over a park-and-ride.
(Vicki Schmitz Block speaks to board on behalf of Schmitz Family – see 4:24 pm below)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 4:04 PM: We’re at Seattle Public Schools headquarters in SODO as the School Board starts an hourlong public-comment session on the two levies it plans to send to voters next February – including the BEX (“building excellence”) levy to raise money for construction/renovation/improvement projects. Right now, it includes plans to renovate/expand and reopen Fairmount Park Elementary in 2014; to build a new Schmitz Park Elementary on the old Genesee Hill campus, opening in 2015; and to build a new Arbor Heights Elementary to open in 2018. Most West Seattle discussion has centered on trying to get the timeline for AH moved up, as the school is in bad shape; in the past week, West Seattle’s pioneer Schmitz family, which donated the current SP Elementary site to the district, has voiced opposition to the possibility that building might be closed when the new GH school opens, though they do support a new school at GH.
We’re recording the session in its entirety but also will note West Seattle-related speakers as they come up. Twelve people are signed up – the session was scheduled for a minimum of 20. The final public-comment period will be at the November 7th board meeting, but that will be the same night as the board’s scheduled final vote. Board members are listening today but the district says they will not be commenting. More to come.
4:14 PM UPDATE: Five speakers so far, and none about West Seattle. Everyone who’s speaking signed up right before the meeting – unlike regular board meetings, there was no two-days-in-advance signup procedure.
4:21 PM: Longtime district watchdog Chris Jackins is the first to mention West Seattle BEX IV projects, saying he believes AH should be renovated immediately rather than replaced, and that he is against closing SP:
He is followed by someone talking about the proposed downtown school. Spokesperson for the Schmitz family, Vicki Schmitz Block, is scheduled to speak next.
4:24 PM: She thanks board members for replying to the letter sent several days ago and says it was a surprise to the family to hear there was a possibility SP might be closed, just as she guesses the board may be surprised to hear that some members of the Schmitz family are “still alive and living in West Seattle.” She says the family wants to keep it open in some form. She also notes that her father-in-law Dietrich Schmitz served on the board for 32 years, “a record that I don’t think has been broken.”
4:37 PM: The entire list of 14 speakers has been run through; no one else from West Seattle. They’re throwing the floor open, since the meeting technically has 23 more minutes.
4:50 PM: Six more impromptu speakers came forward, all talking about issues elsewhere in the district – including Rainier Beach High School students who said their school needs TLC even though it’s not addressed in this levy at all. At quarter till 5, the meeting recessed just in case anyone else came forward to speak – technically the floor’s open till 5. (Final note – nobody else turned up, and they moved on to an unrelated work session.)
WHAT’S NEXT: The board is scheduled to vote on BEX IV’s project list at its next regular meeting, November 7th. We may or may not see another revision between now and then. E-mail comments are still being taken at capacity@seattleschools.org. West Seattle’s school-board rep Marty McLaren – among those present for the comments today – has her next community-conversation meeting before then: 9:45 am October 31st at Concord International School in South Park.
(WSB photo from last Wednesday)
Last night, a couple more scattered reports of “The Hum” came in, though nothing like this past Sunday night (as reported here Monday). The shipping terminal on the Duwamish River that’s believed to be the source, CalPortland, has sent another update on how its noise-control work is going. From CP’s Pete Stoltz:
I am writing to provide an update regarding ship-offloading operations at CalPortland’s Seattle Cement Terminal and our on-going effort to control noise at the machine.
Ship-offloading operations have been delayed periodically during recent rainfall events. Our crew has used the time during these delays to install additional panels, blankets and insulation materials in an effort to reduce noise from the machine. We continue to monitor posts to the West Seattle Blog and are in regular communication with the City of Seattle’s Noise Abatement team. We know that, while noise from our operation technically complies with the noise regulations, people are still hearing, “the humâ€, and are continuing with steps to reduce noise from our operation.
We are also checking regularly with the manufacturer on the status of the second silencer currently scheduled for completion and shipment on November 9th. We are assured by the experience and opinions of noise professionals from the City’s noise abatement team and independent consultant hired by the Company that installation of the second silencer will make a substantial difference in the noise from the machine.
Offloading operations are presently delayed because of rain. Crews estimate that it will take approximately 48 hours of continuous operation to finish offloading this ship. Based on that estimate, we hope offloading of this ship will be completed on October 26th. No ships are scheduled for offloading at the Seattle Cement Terminal in November, and we expect to have the new silencer delivered and installed before the next ship arrives in December.
CalPortland, and especially those of us who work at the Seattle Cement Terminal, appreciate the patience, understanding and support expressed by the West Seattle Community. We will provide additional updates if things change or new information becomes available.
We know CalPortland also has been staying in touch with the Highland Park Action Committee leadership; HPAC’s next meeting happens to be tonight, 7 pm, at HP Improvement Club (12th/Holden).
Thanks to Mike for pointing us to this story on The Seattle Times (WSB partner) site: After more than a year on the run, Michael Mastro has been arrested. His numerous property holdings – before he was forced into Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2009 – had included two West Seattle development sites, one on Harbor Avenue which remains undeveloped, and one that was sold and is finally almost complete, under its new ownership, as The Residences at 3295 (southeast corner of 35th and Avalon). He also held a company involved in a canceled condo conversion south of Morgan Junction. The Times’ story says Mastro and his wife were arrested in France.
(THURSDAY UPDATE: The first preview day has been changed to Saturday 10/27, 8 am)
Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog/White Center Now
About Meander’s in White Center (opening the next two weekends for sneak previews):
First things first: the ventilation is AMAZING. See for yourself:
(Miranda even turned on the vent so I could feel the rush of air into the hood.)
With her forthcoming opening in the former Papa’s Pub in White Center (here’s our original report from 6 weeks ago), owner and chef Miranda Krone continues the evolution of what has become a favorite diner of people on our fair peninsula and beyond: Meander’s — with breakfast served all the time except weekend nights, when it turns into a gourmet bistro.
With evolution comes change, and the first change you’ll notice is all the space:
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(2011 photo from Fauntleroy Creek, courtesy Dennis Hinton)
This Sunday is the day set for the annual Fauntleroy Creek community drumming session to call the salmon home. (5 pm, creek overlook at Fauntleroy/Director, across and uphill from the ferry dock) But they don’t seem to be waiting for an invitation – they’re approaching, and we just got word that volunteer creek-watchers are needed:
With the spotting of two coho spawners in the tidepool at the mouth of Fauntleroy Creek, Salmon Watch 2012 is getting under way a few days ahead of schedule. If you’ve thought about being a salmon watcher, this could be the year to see a lot of action. Volunteers schedule themselves for half-hour shifts when spawners are most likely to be present at the fish ladder (SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW). Training on your first shift for adults and youth; children welcome with a parent. Sign up on the porch at 4539 SW Director Place; more information from Judy Pickens at 938-4203 or judy_pickens@msn.com.
(Thanks to Lise for this morning’s view from Seacrest – fuzzy but we also like the Needle ‘halo’ she points out!)
From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
DROP-IN SUPPORT GROUP FOR NEW PARENTS: Early Days meets at Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) in The Junction every Wednesday, noon-2 pm. Details here.
BEX IV PUBLIC COMMENT: This is the last scheduled chance for public comment on the BEX IV levy before it goes to the School Board for a final vote Nov. 7th. Board members will listen (but not respond) to public comment, 4-5 pm at district HQ in SODO – sign up before the meeting (but they’ll take a finite number of speakers, at least 20). Here’s our preview story.
GRAND OPENING: The Technology Access Foundation‘s Bethaday Community Learning Space in White Center’s Lakewood Park is celebrating its grand opening, and you are invited to visit 5-8 pm tonight. Details here.
ART LENDING LIBRARY RETURNS! Tonight is one of its periodic checkout nights, and it’s back in West Seattle! 6 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – details here.
POETRY AND STORYTELLING: Larry Crist and Christine Marie Clarke are the featured readers tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm, for the monthly stories/poems event, which includes open-mike time.
HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: Monthly meeting at 7 pm, Highland Park Improvement Club at 12th and Holden.
More for today/tonight (and far beyond) on our ongoing calendar – and preview Halloween events for the next week-plus on the WSB Halloween page!
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Kelli Corrado, who teaches guitar, voice, and songwriting. Here’s what she’d like you to know: Her band Kelli’s Starlight Wishes released an album on Aphonia Recordings, a Pacific Northwest label. She says this experience is why people come to her for music lessons: “Again and again, my clients tell me that they seek me out because I am a working and active musician who has been successful as a songwriter and performer. The reason families stay with me is not only do I teach music theory and aural skills but also encourage the students to be creative and find their own original voice.”
Kelli says of her approach to teaching: “What makes me unique from other teachers is that I create a specific lesson plan for each student based on achieving two goals- a creative one and a technique-based one. I believe that art and music knows no age. Everyone is creative, everyone has a voice. I have taught 4-year-olds and I have taught 50-year-olds. I have a student right now whom I have taught for four years. She is getting ready to record her first EP of original songs. When I met her, she had never played the guitar, let alone sing or write a song. Also, I am told I have a special knack for working with young people. I think that’s because I make sure kids learn, but I also make sure they have fun while they learn. That’s why I am a longtime member of the Rock Camp faculty and am often asked to run workshops for young people throughout the Seattle region.”
In addition to touring and recording, Kelli teaches at the Rock School/ArtsCorps at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, Musika (a nationwide teaching association), and at Ballard Music Academy. In the summer, she teaches at various camps; this past summer, she was the artist in residence at Camp Sealth on Vashon Island. More information about Kelli is on her website at kellicorrado.blogspot.com, and you can contact her by e-mail: kellifrancescorrado@gmail.com. Also see her coupon on the WSB Coupons page.
We thank music instructor Kelli Corrado for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:40 AM: So far, “wet roads” are the only warning regarding traffic as the day gets going. If you ride the 120 or 55 buses, there was big news late yesterday – Metro says it’s adding capacity starting Monday.
8:03 AM UPDATE: Trouble on Highway 99 south of the 1st Avenue S. Bridge, according to WSDOT, which tweeted: “A lane in each direction blocked due to a collision on SR 99 south of the 1st Ave S. Bridge.”
9:01 AM UPDATE: If you follow the online 911 log, note that it’s down for maintenance all day. So we are listening to the scanner even more intently than ever. Right now, there’s a report of another southbound Battery St. Tunnel crash – second one this morning – so if you are heading toward WS from north of there, get over to I-5!
5:25 PM UPDATE: If you are encountering any slow-going in mid-downtown or north of there on southbound I-5, the 911 log lists a crash at Yesler as of about half an hour ago. Can’t quite tell from the camera if it’s still a factor.
For the second time since voters passed the Parks and Green Spaces Levy in 2008, a share of its Opportunity Fund is awaiting allotment to community-proposed projects. This round of the process – with $8 million to be spent – started a year ago (here’s the timeline) with draft criteria, and is now starting the review phase for the 53 formal applications submitted from around the city. We’ve obtained the application-summary list from Pete Spalding, the West Seattleite who chairs the levy’s Oversight Committee; seven of the 53 proposals (full list here) are from West Seattle. From the list, their names, locations, proposed price tags, and summary descriptions, ahead:Read More
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